April 16, 2013

YouTube celebrates VCR’s 57th birthday with 'Tape Mode'

YouTube may have played a part in killing the VCR, but the video giant has not forgotten. Today is the VCR’s 57th birthday after the Ampex VRX-1000 became the first commercial video cassette recorder in 1956. To celebrate, YouTube has added a “Tape Mode” to select videos.

Not too long ago, the video tape was the media of choice for living rooms around the world. In celebration of the 57th birthday of the first commercial video cassette recorder, check out a fun VHS mode for the YouTube player to relive the magic feel of vintage video tapes. On select videos, you’ll find a VHS button in the bottom right of the player–just click to turn back the clock and enjoy the static and fuzzy motion of the VHS era.

Here is an example of 'Tape Mode' in action (you will have to open the video in YouTube to enable 'Tape Mode'):